Tears
A Naruto fanfiction by anime-freaksg
Author's notes: Heavily inspired by chapter 367 of the Naruto manga. Thanks to Binktopia for their scanlation.
The boy decided to ask his teammate an important question.
"If I were to die, would you cry for me?"
"…"
A strange awkward silence fell between them.
"Well, er…I guess I shouldn't ha-"
"Mft…bwahahaha…"
As laughter echoed down the street, several passersby stopped to stare at the pair.
"Aw, come on, I am serious you know…"
As the laughter continued, all the boy could do was look down sadly at his sandals.
The second time he asked that question, they were both slightly older, wiser. Both had seen death. Be it enemies that they were tasked to eliminate or close friends and family who were killed in the line of duty.
"So like erm…if I died like him, would you cry for me?"
The girl just stared at him.
"Hmph…you, die like that? You'll probably be killed by some woman while peeking at them at the local bath…"
The boy just laughed.
"Heh, I guess you're right…so…since we're kinda free now, how about we go to that hotel ju-"
That was all he managed to say before he felt himself fly off the ground, smashing onto the concrete below just moments later.
Many years had passed. Of the original three members of their team, only the two of them remained. They themselves were now masters in their own right, the woman was now the leader of the village, and the man was a wanderer, seeking information which would help protect the peace that they had fought so hard to get. One protégé died protecting the ones he loved the most, the other was now ready to teach a new generation shinobi. Their new students were now on a mission to bring back a friend, hoping to succeed where their masters had similarly failed all those years ago. As the two of them sat down on a park bench after a drinking session at the local liquor shop, the man knew he might not make it back after the next mission. Of all the enemies he had faced, this next one was probably the strongest of them all.
"You're dealing with someone who's strong enough to keep Akatsuki in line. We have no idea of his power and now you're gonna waltz right onto his turf…"
The man knew that if he stayed any longer, he would change his mind.
"Well…I guess I should get going…"
"Come back alive…"
"…"
"If I lose you too…I…"
"Are you gonna cry for me? Haha, I'm honored…I don't suppose I'll get as many tears as Dan did though, haha…"
"Asshole…"
He knew then, that he had the answer he was looking for all those years ago. But it wasn't the answer he wanted…
"All right, how about we put your gambling skills to use? Put everything you've got on me dying. You always pick the losing bet. And in return, I'll come back alive and well."
'I won't let you cry for anyone again. Least of all, for me…after all, I can't let your jugs grow even bigger can I…'
"Wh-"
"Haha, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm very grateful to you, you know!"
"…"
"Getting dumped always makes a man stronger. And if he hasn't experienced it enough to be able to laugh and joke about it, or at least use it as material, he can't fulfill his duties as a man."
'I was never worth your tears…'
"So it's the man's responsibility to be strong, eh?"
"Pretty much. But then again, men aren't meant to pursue happiness…"
'…we just hold on to moments like these…'
"Bah…you men are all alike. Without women around, there'd be no one to reject your advances and toughen you up!"
"Heh…very true…"
'Thank you for everything…'
FIN
